This entire event has conjured many thoughts and observations, about life and society.

Here are just a few:

• The first news outlet to report that Michael had died was TMZ. This is kind of sad, for many reasons, as TMZ is a glorified gossip site. Why were they first? Because they don’t care about privacy of the family.
• Many people were happy at the news. Obviously, Michael did many questionable things in his life but, is that really a reason to be happy that he’s dead?
• He was only 50 years old. I am 35 (15 years younger). Lately, I have been reading about people dying of heart attacks at young ages. Little scary.

Other thoughts, perhaps a tad morbid but – is it better to die young or old? Everyone talks about wanting to live to an old age, and that is appealing on certain levels, mostly because as humans I believe we are programmed to be afraid of death. However, would you rather waste away or die suddenly and get it over with? I am thinking selfishly here. Many people have written that this was perhaps the best thing that could happen to Michael, and I kind of wonder about that. The same has been said about Ed McMahon’s passing.

The freaky thing about Michael Jackson’s death was just how sudden it was. I don’t recall reading anywhere that he was in poor health. Just out of nowhere – dead.

Its silly, but when I hear about a celebrity dying my mind immediately questions how that could happen. Here are people with money and means, with the best health care money can buy. Of course, death doesn’t discriminate and I know that – still it just feels so shocking to me.

In any case – rest in peace Michael. I am neither happy nor sad at your passing, just freaked out at how sudden and unexpected it was.

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Time to hang it up Billy

Billy,

Please realize that the Pumpkins are no more. Jimmy just left and of course James Iha and D’arcy a long time ago. I’m actually in a minority who thought Zeitgeist was a great album. Today is probably my favorite song of all time and a major factor behind me learning to play guitar. That said, it is time to get realistic.

Reviving the Pumpkins again, with you being the only remaining founding member, is kind of pointless. You’ve nothing left to prove. You’ve it all, seen it all. You just testified in front of Congress for Christs sake.You’re in a TNA Wrestling promo!

Enjoy some time off, please.

Other bands are now coming up which can do it better. Take for example Silversun Pickups, who on first listen sound almost exactly like the Pumpkins. Listen to Lazy Eye from Carnavas and tell me it doesn’t sound a lot like 1979. Girl bassist who is oddly cute if not downright hot. Hell even the lead singer reminds me of you Billy, but with hair.

I guess what I am saying is you had a great run. Really. I get that music is important and such, but do something else. I feel like you hanging on to the Pumpkins name is just like refusing to let go of that old blanket you had as a baby when there are slankets and snuggies to be had.

Now you want to release a new album on it with a zillion songs and charge a subscription service to give your fans insight into the creative process. Billy, it is sad. Given that like I said, most people (not all, I actually liked it) thought Zeitgeist sucked, you shouldn’t be charging fans to be, well, fans. What’s next – pay to play in the band?

So now is the time to bow out gracefully, you’ve earned that right.

Signed,

William